Pole vaulting is a track and field event where the athlete uses a long, flexible pole as an aid to clear a crossbar supported on two uprights (standards) without knocking it down. Ancient Greeks, Cretans, and Celts all held pole jumping competitions, and it has been a full medal event at the Olympic Games since 1896 for men and 2000 for women. Physical attributes such as speed, agility and strength are essential to pole vaulting effectively, but technical skill is an equally if not more important element. The International YMCA Training School curriculum included sport skill instruction on the high jump, long jump, pole vault, discus, javelin, shot put, football, swimming, lawn tennis, baseball, basketball, rowing, and volleyball.

W. W. Hoyt identification comes from cataloger note and has not been verified;

Rights

Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Babson Library, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.